Frosted Flakes

We had a baptism on Saturday which was great, like frosted flakes. Marica and Cristian were baptized and are excited to get involved. Also Everton is going to get baptized on the 28th which is a miracle. Elder Murilo is doing great and learning quickly, and his birthday is coming up on the first of September, I think I’ll try to make some sort of dessert, which will be difficult without him knowing...because he´s always flippin´ with me!

We are finding lots of people to teach in areas we have visited before. I think I have the flu.

The summer is coming to an end for you guys and the winter is become a little more tolerable.

Every single day I learn a little more that the church is true and that if I keep the commandments I will have eternal life.

I love you all,

Elder Willard

Father's Day

Well the week went by super slow, but I think that’s because I got a new companion, Elder Murilo from Santa Catarina; he is super cool, kinda shy, but teaches well and is very funny. He´ll be a great companion and is helping me a lot.

We had another miracle in our area. There is an investigator, Everton, who has been visiting the ward for almost 2 years yet never wanted to be baptized. He told us yesterday that he wants to be baptized now on the 28th of August. His wife and son are members and have been for years and are really excited.

Yesterday here in Brazil was Father´s Day. Everton´s son, Daniel who is 11 years old, learned that his Dad wanted to get baptized. During the priesthood session between classes, the bishop put his arm around him and said, “All of us Dads got some really great gifts today, but Daniel got the best gift of all.” Then the bishop looked at Daniel and he started to cry and could barely say, “meu Pai vai se batizar.” The mission President wants to be there.

Well we are all happy and working hard and hope that you guys are too,

Elder Willard

Another Transfer Shakeup

Today Elder Jensen and I have 1 year and 5 months out on the mission. We are becoming some of the oldest elders because of the growth of the mission. Well we had transfers and my companion has been transferred...to another area inside the same city.

I will stay and train a new missionary. We have no idea who he is, but I’m hoping he will be an American. But will probably be a Brazilian, which is fine too.

We have a baptism all marked up this week on Saturday and we are super excited. My new companion is gonna be super happy about that.

I didn't go to church on Sunday because I was throwing up during the morning...which was brutal. And everyone got freaked out and wanted to know where the missionaries were. A member family came by the house and dropped off a huge amount of food and soda. And we are really thankful for them.

This same family took us to the beach and bought us milkshakes and lunch. The beach is amazing on the Atlantic Ocean.

But I’m all stoked to get started again in this area with a new companion and we are gonna tear it up.

I only have 4 transfers left...or 6 months, so I’m gonna make them count.

I love you guys,

Elder Willard

The last bit of Aguas Claras

In the past few months the majority of the missionaries are new. And everyone that has my time on the mission are in leadership positions. Some new investigators told us this week that they want to get baptized, which is great. They will get baptized on the 10th of August. Transfers is next week and I don’t know if I will stay or go. If I stay I might stay here for 3 more months or train or who knows what.

But this area is terrific; my companion and I are loving it. We are getting along super good. It looks like the other Elder Willard is kicking butt!!!

Time is passing by really slowly for some reason, but that’s alright.

I love you guys,

Elder Willard

Progressing

Well this week was very normal. We taught a little, but have some success with a women named Nara. She is progressing and we believe is going to be baptized.

Today I bought 9 ties for 15 dollars. Hurray!!! I really don’t have much to say; really nothing is going on.

(Mom don’t send me a Christmas package or birthday package.)

Hopefully I will have some cool experience to share with you guys.

Elder Willard

Francisca Baptized

Francisca was baptized and confirmed, she´s really a stud. It looks like the other Elder Willard is kicking butt in Manaus.

All is good here but we don't really have any more investigators. They all got baptized, we need more references from the members to continue.

I feel like my mission is slowing down, the first year went by really quick but now it’s really slow...probably because of the area we don't have much to do. But the weeks go by quickly.

Please treat your missionaries like adults and don't chew them out for meaningless stuff like not answering the phone when it’s broken or going to appointments when you have a fever of 40 degrees Celsius.

I did get the package the ward sent me...I hope Frazier got the letter and sent him... and writes me back.

Peace, Girlscout

Elder Willard

Happy Fourth of July

Francisca said she wants to be baptized. She said she had a dream. In the dream she was standing next to a baptismal font full of water she then say a child that she had raised in the water. Francisca has a terrible fear of water and worried that he would drown. She called out to him but didn't want to leave the water and then dunked himself in the water. When he came back out he was very happy and said, "I want to be baptized again." Francisca understood that as an answer to her prayer that she should be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Her Baptism will be Friday. We are super excited.

We are extremely blessed with the help of the members here and hope you are doing the same.

Happy 4th of July and happy Birthday to the other Elder Willard